Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Northern Cameroon announces ban on burkas and face veils

YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — Cameroon's north region has banned women from wearing burkas and face-covering veils after suicide bombings by females in burkas killed at least 14 people in a northern town on Sunday, a government official said Wednesday.

The region has also banned Muslims from meeting in large groups without permission, as the end of Ramadan nears, said Midjiyawa Bakari, governor of Cameroon's Far North Region.

"No one suspected them and that is why we have ordered women to stop wearing veils and the police and military to arrest all women wearing veils," he said of the Sunday attacks. It was first reported that two bombs were planted, but President Paul Biya has announced that investigations found the explosions were launched by two women wearing burkas.

"We are also systematically checking all vehicles, and controlling all luggage and the population should collaborate because there is a serious security threat to our nation," said governor Bakari.

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